a prominence at the back of his head. This I did; and finding that the upper portion of Philoprogenitiveness was enormously developed, while the lower part was not so, informed him of the fact, adding that though the protuberance was in the region of Philoprogenitiveness, yet if there were any truth in the revelations of Phreno-mesmerism, the function would shew itself in the love of pets, rather than in any remarkable attachment to children. He seemed astonished, and observed that "he regretted to have to acknowledge that I was correct; he regretted it, because he detested Phrenology, but he was bound in honour to admit the correctness of the predication." The love of pets in this gentleman, as I subsequently learned, amounts almost to a monomania; for in addition to dogs, cats, &c., he has actually a collection of pet mice and spiders which he daily feeds with his own hands. He is not, however, remarkable for his attachment to children. This, being an isolated case, is not expected to be invested with very much importance; but it is related with the hope that it may be taken for just what it is worth, and that it may be the means of inducing other phrenologists to multiply and record their observations on the subject.

Other instances of mesmeric excitation suggesting the subdivision of the present organs, might be adduced (such, for instance, as Ideality, on touching one portion of which the patient is led to expatiate in glowing terms on the beauties of some piece of poetry or literary composition, while another portion directs the channel of thought to the loveliness of the earth, and a third to the glories of the sky); but these would only increase the prolixity of this communication, and enough has been already stated to establish what is here advocated; viz. that if Mesmerism confirm Phrenology at all, it establishes these subdivisions of the present organs as satisfactorily as it does the general functions of those organs themselves; and that, if phrenologists act consistently, they must either dispense with the evidence of Mesmerism in toto, or admit its validity in both cases. In penning this article, I am not writing as the apologist of Mr Hall, for I repeat that, not having seen all that gentleman's cases, I am not prepared to go to the same extent as himself, though all who have witnessed any of his experiments, must be convinced of his patience in investigation, his zeal, and his trustworthiness. Perhaps I may be permitted once again to impress investigators with a sense of the paramount importance of extreme caution and precision in ascertaining the parts of the head touched, and recording the manifestations thereby educed; as well as the propriet of interchanging notes with other obser

vers (or societies where these exist), in order that all who feel sufficiently interested to investigate the subject, may thus have opportunities of repeating and verifying any experiments that may be made. It may also be well, as soon as a sufficient number of careful observations have been recorded, to fill up charts, marking the relative situations of the parts on touching which certain manifestations have been caused, for the guidance of other investigators in ascertaining how far these results are uniform or the reverse.

It cannot be denied, that this almost unlimited multiplication of the cerebral organs will most materially increase the difficulties in the way of the practical application of Phrenology (a department already beset with difficulties enough); and on this account alone, if on no other, extreme jealousy should be exercised ere new organs be admitted into our category; but still the phrenologist, of all others (in accordance with his motto, "Res, non verba quæso," and whose aim it should be to be an honest votary of truth, an observer of facts, and not the framer of a system in accordance with preconceived views), should be the last to shun or evade tangible evidence, from a morbid fear of consequences. The difficulty, however, may be in some measure avoided, by predicating only of groups, rather than of the separate and small individual organs, into which it seems probable that our present ones must be divided.

I would close these remarks with one or two observations in reference to "The Zoist." On seeing the announcement of that publication, and the high auspices under which it made its appearance, and particularly on reading its own confession in its first article (No 1, p. 17), that "the geography of cerebral physiology, except a few additions, was accomplished by Gall, but the exploration of the several cerebral divisions, that which we would designate cerebral analysis, must be carried out by ourselves," I was delighted with the expectation that the conductors of that journal would soon favour us (in addition to the deeply interesting cases illustrating the curative effects of Mesmerism which have appeared in its pages) with their views and experiments on the aforesaid subject of "the exploration of the several cerebral divisions." Though, however, the four chief contributors to the Zoist, Drs Elliotson and Engledue, with Messrs Prideaux and Atkinson, are well known to be highly talented and enthusiastic "cerebral physiologists" and mesmerists, still we at present hear of none of their views or experiments in this deeply interesting subject, save those of Mr Atkinson on the cerebellum; but on the contrary, it has assumed a strangely querulous tone (a

tone singularly at variance with belief in its own favourite doctrine of the necessity of men's conduct and actions) against its fellow-investigators of the same great branches of science. We find it, for instance, at one time manifesting displeasure towards Mr George Combe, on account of the silence which he has hitherto observed in reference to the topics which have latterly so much agitated the phrenological world; at another reprobating Mr Spencer Hall (who, in avoiding Scylla, has got into Charybdis), for the opposite offence of venturing to proclaim what he imagines he has discovered; and then declaiming against this journal, for perhaps the Zoist can say what? as no specific or recognisable charge is to be gathered from its pages. Now, surely, it would be more consistent with propriety, if the Zoist would condescend to inform us of its own views and discoveries (if any) in this branch of science, before assuming the office of public censor, blaming some for its own sin of silence, and others for manfully declaring what they have observed. Let us hope, however, that these gentlemen are repeating experiments in private, and carefully maturing their views; and that they will, erelong, in that candid and independent spirit which pervades most of their articles, inform us of the conclusions to which they have been led.

WOLVERHAMPTON, 17th Nov. 1843.

III. On the Application of Phrenology to History and Politics. By Dr GUSTAF KOMBST.

Phrenology has now arrived at a stage of development, where the results of thousands of observations should be generalized, and made the basis of new operations. In this respect, the progress of Phrenology has not kept pace with that made within the last 40 years by another inductive science,-Geology. Both started with a comparatively small number of well-ascertained facts; but, whilst the one has run a wonderful race of development, accumulating facts and forming theories, which again led to the discovery of new facts, the other has, to a great extent, been satisfied with collecting details. Let it not be said, that it is more easy to go about and collect geological specimens; heads, not only individual but national, are even more frequently to be met with than minerals, more especially where, as in flat countries, little or no aid is given by surrounding objects in the study of geology. Do not men continually travel about in their own and other countries? Where is a spot on the earth that has not been visited, of late years, by

enterprising Britons? And yet what advantage has Phrenology derived from this extent of British dominion or enterprise?

As long as Phrenology is confined to ascertaining the faculties of individual man, it certainly will produce the most salutary consequences as a physiology of the brain or an organology of the human mind, as far as regards a correct knowledge of any nation, and the mental progress of man, which may result from such knowledge. But the views which it will open up to us, when applied not only to individual, but national, organization, cannot fail to be at once grand and surprising. Nor will the consequences and practical results be of less importance. Phrenology has already shewn that there exist the most different individual organizations. The consequences and conclusions to be drawn from this fact have engaged the attention of the most able and indefatigable phrenologists, and have resulted in much that it is most practical with respect to education and general intercourse in society. These conclusions have also been made to bear very distinctly upon the social and political state of individual countries.

But it remains to be shewn, that the cerebral organization of nations is as different as that of individuals. Indeed, an excellent beginning in this way has been made by Mr Combe and Dr Morton; by the former, in his chapter "On the coincidence between the natural talents and dispositions of nations, and the development of their brains" (System of Phrenology, ii. 327. 5th edit.), and by the latter in his Crania Americana.* Both, however, at the present stage of Phrenology could only point the direction to be pursued, by making observations on the formation of skulls of different nations. What remains to be done is, to demonstrate that this difference of natural cerebral organization among nations can be traced back as far as we have any historical knowledge of man; what influence it has exercised in the progress and fate of these nations; how it came to be modified either by crossing of races, or by moral influences, or, finally, by local circumstances. Thus applied, Phrenology would become the best key to a philosophy of the history of the human race, or, if you like, it would be that philosophy itself. Hitherto, we have had, indeed, the fine phrase, History is the instructor of mankind. But, pray, how are mere facts, results, and effects, without a knowledge of causes and agencies, to enlighten us on any one point connected with the most important interests of our own country or our own race? And in this state it is, that we still find history. Nothing but names, dates, and facts, more or less dryly put together, arranged according to some arbitrary cur

*See also a paper by Dr G. M. Paterson, "On the Phrenology of Hindostan," in the Transactions of the Phrenological Society,

rent philosophical system. What was the organization of individual great men and of nations, we hear nothing of, except perhaps in the form of some peculiar virtue or failing, which enables us to conclude back upon organization. But to make up for the want of knowledge in historians of former ages, we are by no means without materials. Just as Niebuhr has succeeded in throwing greater light upon the ancient history of the Romans, and of Italy generally, than we can gain from any one of the ancient Roman historians; so may a skilful phrenologist of the present day accomplish the task of reconstructing or reproducing from literature, monuments of every kind, sculpture, paintings, medals, nay, casual descriptions, and sometimes from an examination of the present inhabitants of the same country, a pretty correct phrenological character of nations which lived long before us. But by far more easy will be the task with nations which, although their organization in some parts of a country may have undergone some changes, do still essentially represent the original national character. But, for what purpose? it may be asked. Do we learn any thing new by such investigations? Do we not, perhaps, collect only materials for proving that things just have happened as they ought to have happened? By no means. We will find by such inquiries, among other things, also the causes of very surprising facts, the explanation of which has hitherto puzzled our brains in vain. To mention only two: the difference of religious creeds even among Christians, and the circumstance that Protestantism hitherto has been confined to the Teutonic tribes, will find a very simple, and, at the same time, satisfactory solution in consequence. Farther, a con

viction will be forced upon us, that man can be educated or developed only to the extent of his natural organization. The consequences, both practical and theoretical, which flow from this proposition, need not be farther dwelt upon at present, but will be striking enough to every one. Now, if history, in consequence of a proper application of Phrenology being made to historical studies, become something intelligible, and comprehensive, a well-connected series of causes and effects, in short, something worthy to be called a science, how eminently useful will its lessons be to ourselves and future generations! Again; if we have ascertained that there is as great a natural difference of organization between nations as between individuals, it follows that, as much as these nations differ in appearance and perhaps language, so much will they differ in the result of their respective national development or mental labour. It will follow, quite simply, that institutions, manners, in short, every thing which distinguishes one nation from another, is the natural growth of its organization; nothing ex